Hogan Lovells Publications | 5 February 2016
Projects and Energy Weekly Snippets
International solar coalition to raise US$1 trillion for global industry
The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has stated that a global solar power coalition will raise US$1 trillion (ZAR16 trillion) to increase renewable energy capacity around the world, Climate Action reported.
The Indian government initiated the International Solar Alliance, which has 120 member countries and was started to strengthen cooperation between those countries with an abundance of solar resources.
ESI-Africa, 29 January 2016
Black businesses seek greater participation in nuclear build programme
The Nuclear Energy Corporation of SA (Necsa) and the Black Business Council have created a business nuclear energy desk to ensure that black businesses benefit from the government’s nuclear build programme.
The nuclear energy desk will provide a platform for black business to interact with Necsa and other relevant entities on the programme with the aim of sharing information, building experience and networking. It will also identify training needs to develop technical skills, so that black business can participate in the build programme.
Business Day, 1 February 2016
Kenya holds significant potential for renewables, despite issues
Kenya was ranked second among African nations, behind South Africa, as a key investment region for renewables, with investments in this commercial hub of East Africa totalling US$4 billion by the end of 2015.
Coming together on Tuesday for a webinar on renewable energy in Kenya – Exploring Kenya’s Renewable Energy Opportunities – several developers in the country’s geothermal, solar and wind energy fields, agreed that one of the biggest challenges facing the development of a renewable-energy industry was community buy-in.
Engineering News, 3 February 2016
BlueNova introduces new battery to market
JSE-listed Reunert Group subsidiary Reutech and newly formed BlueNova on Wednesday introduced lithium-iron yttrium phosphate (LiFeYP04) batteries to the market, noting that it would be a good alternative to ageing lead-acid batteries.
BlueNova CEO James Verster explained that the introduction of the batteries, which ranged from 12V to 800V direct current, was specifically aimed at replacing all lead-acid batteries in Southern Africa, with a need for these storage solutions in residential, industrial and utility-scale applications.
Engineering News, 3 February 2016
Eskom reports dramatic decline in OCGT use, diesel costs
State-owned electricity utility Eskom has reported a dramatic decline in diesel consumption and costs, amid improvements in its maintenance practices and a rise in the energy available from its coal-fired power stations.
Delivering the group’s February State of the System Update in Johannesburg on Wednesday, CEO Brian Molefe reported a 66% decrease in the use of the diesel-fuelled open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) from October to January.
Engineering News, 3 February 2016
Science discovers energy generation through vibrations
Scientists at the US Ohio State University have discovered that energy generation can be achieved through vibrations that pass through artificial electromechanical tree-shaped structures when they are shaken by wind or traffic.
Project leader Ryan Harne explained in a statement on the university’s news platform: “Buildings sway ever so slightly in the wind, bridges oscillate when we drive on them and car suspensions absorb bumps in the road. In fact, there’s a massive amount of kinetic energy associated with those motions that is otherwise lost. We want to recover and recycle some of that energy."
ESI- Africa, 4 February 2016
The above reflects a summary of certain news articles published during the preceding week. It is not an expression of opinion in respect of each matter, nor may it be considered as a disclosure of advice by any employee of Hogan Lovells.
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